Angela Somerfield donated this beautiful christening robe to Tara’s Palace. The robe dates from the 1920’s and belonged to Angela’s aunt who was a nurse and worked for Lord and Lady Redesdale. Lord Redesdale is also known as The Hon David Freeman-Mitford. The Mitfords are a family of Northumberland landed gentry, dating back to the 14th century.

The couple had one son and six daughters, who all used the surname Mitford rather than Freeman-Mitford. The girls were known collectively as the Mitford Sisters. Nancy and Jessica became well-known writers. It is thought the dress was worn by several of the Mitford children.

A collection of Christening Robes is now on display at Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood, Powerscourt House, Wicklow.